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April 2024
The Critical Need for Advocacy in Abuse and Assault Cases April holds a special significance in my professional calendar, marking National Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Although these areas don’t comprise the bulk of my practice, their importance cannot be overstated. Compared to car wrecks or premises cases, these cases are fortunately not as common; however, that doesn’t mean they are any less important. the victims. When I first started my practice, I carried forward this commitment, armed with the knowledge and resolve to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by abuse and sexual assault. Sexual assault and abuse, though often lumped together, require different legal could include businesses, schools, or even households where insurance policies may offer a path to compensation if it can be proved that there was a failure to protect the victims from abuse. Expressway Tower • 6116 N. Central Expy., #1201, Dallas, TX 75206 • 214-682-7132 Alps Building — Historic Stockyards • 222 W. Exchange Ave., Suite 106, Fort Worth, Texas 76164 • 817-382-8387 Listening, Supporting, Advocating
My consultations with potential clients are often heart-wrenching. Hearing the stories of abuse and assault never gets easier. Yet, it reaffirms my commitment to being an ally to those affected. My team and I strive to offer more than just legal representation; we aim to be a source of support and understanding, helping victims navigate their path toward justice and recovery. Even if we ultimately cannot take on a case, we can give them the resources and support they need to find their justice. As we observe National Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, it’s crucial to remember the real people behind the statistics. These cases, while not as prevalent as others in my practice, are an integral part of why I chose the legal profession. They remind me of the impact compassionate and committed legal advocacy can have on people’s lives. If you or someone you know has been affected by abuse or assault, know that there are legal professionals ready to stand by your side and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
approaches. Sexual assault typically refers to a single event, making these cases particularly challenging due to the intentional nature of the act. Insurance policies, for instance, do not typically cover intentional harm, presenting a significant hurdle in seeking compensation for the victim. Civil recourse hinges on identifying and pursuing the perpetrator’s assets for compensation. One of my most challenging cases involved representing a woman assaulted by a well- known realtor. The case was fraught with the all-too-common victim-blaming narratives, questioning everything from the victim’s attire to their behavior rather than focusing on the perpetrator’s actions. It’s this kind of mentality that National Sexual Assault Awareness Month seeks to challenge, emphasizing the need to listen to and support victims without judgment. In instances of sexual abuse, particularly when it’s systemic or occurring within organizations, the legal strategy often involves targeting entities that may have negligently allowed the abuse to occur. This
My journey into this field of law began as an associate attorney at a former firm, where an old boss of mine was assigned a child abuse case. The alleged wrongful acts occurred within a household. The complexities and emotional gravity of that case imprinted on me the profound responsibility we hold as attorneys to shine a light on these crimes and advocate for
–Patrick R. Kelly
WE WANT YOU TO CONSIDER US YOUR LAW FIRM. While we specialize in bodily injury cases, we are happy to refer you to a firm that can help you with any legal issue that may arise. Please feel free to refer us to your friends and family for their legal needs. We look forward to helping you.
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WHEN THE LAW MEETS ABSURDITY LEGALLY UNBELIEVABLE
Virginia, Washington, D.C., or on a military base, it’s entirely legal!
There are some outlandish laws in the U.S., but you can also get away with plenty of surprising things. Let’s dive into some of the crazy laws from around the country. Surprisingly Legal Flame On Owning a flamethrower is surprisingly legal and easy in 48 states. The only state where you can’t own one is Maryland. And if you want a flamethrower in California, you must get a license. The rest of the states say, fire away! Car Radar Another surprising law concerns radar detectors: In most states, utilizing a radar detector in your personal vehicle is completely legal. Do you want to check someone’s speed or look out for police officers? Unless you live in Mississippi,
Sleepy Surgery There are absolutely no laws that state surgeons must get a good night’s sleep before surgery. As dangerous as this sounds, at least surgeons usually do have a limit on how long they can work at once, curtailing the worst outcomes of an exhausted doctor.
Blindingly Obvious Driving blindfolded has never been a good idea, but that clearly didn’t stop adventurous residents in Alabama from testing their blind driving skills. Maybe that’s why the state passed a law making blindfolded driving illegal. Keep an open ear and be mindful of what is legal and what is not. Nobody wants weird laws creating dumb criminals!
Shockingly Illegal Car Cursing
While in Maryland, you should be mindful of keeping your swear words to yourself (or whisper them softly) while driving through the small city of Rockville. It is considered a misdemeanor to swear from a vehicle within earshot of other people. Your curse words could cost you up to $100 in fines or 90 days in jail.
Joke’s on You!
THE HISTORY OF APRIL FOOLS’ DAY
These pranks included having paper fish placed on their backs and being referred to as “poisson d’avril” (April fish), said to symbolize a young, easily caught fish or a gullible person. Historians have also linked April Fools’ Day to festivals such as Hilaria (Latin for joyful), which was celebrated in ancient Rome at the end of March by followers of the cult of Cybele. It involved people dressing up in disguises and mocking fellow citizens and magistrates and was said to be inspired by the Egyptian legend of Isis, Osiris, and Seth. There’s also speculation that April Fools’ Day was tied to the vernal equinox, or the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when Mother Nature fooled people with changing, unpredictable weather. Regardless of its origin, April Fools’ Day has become a worldwide tradition with links from the past. Today, April Fools’ Day means playing pranks and tricks on friends and family. People have gone to great lengths to create elaborate April Fools’ Day hoaxes. Newspapers, radio and TV stations, and websites have participated in the April 1 tradition of reporting outrageous fictional claims to fool their audiences.
Have you ever wondered why we celebrate April Fools’ Day every April 1 with silly pranks and whimsical tricks? April Fools’ originated in France during the 16th century when the country switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. The change moved the new year from the end of March to Jan. 1. The shocking part is that not everyone was aware of the change. Those who continued celebrating New Year’s Day on April 1 were mocked, labeled as “April Fools,” and subjected to pranks.
So, when someone pulls a nasty prank on you on April Fools’ Day, remember why and where it came from!
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TAKE A BREAK
To be proactive in life is to be successful! As a parent, planning ahead must become second nature if we want our children and families to stay strong in the face of adversity. While many good parenting tips are out there, the smartest is creating an emergency kit to help out in any scenario. An emergency kit will have everything you and your family may need during an emergency, such as having to stay inside for longer than usual or the electricity goes out. Each family’s kit will vary depending on their kids’ individual needs. It’s vital to have all these things collected before the trouble begins, stored in a container, and kept in a safe and easily accessible location in case of an emergency. Making a family emergency kit can also be fun for the family to do together. Be the Parents Who Are Prepared CREATING AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR ANY SITUATION
These are the necessary steps to create a toolkit:
1. You will need a large plastic bin or box to put things into.
2. Go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for a list of key items to include in a kit: CDC.gov/childrenindisasters/checklists/ kids-and-families.html. 3. Go shopping for the appropriate items you need, then check them off the list as you put them into your emergency kit. 4. Place an updated copy of your checklist inside your large plastic bin or box once you put your kit together to know what is inside the kit and to find your checklist easily. Keeping your family safe should be a top priority at all times. It is so important to teach preparation skills to our children at a young age so they can be ready and thrive through life’s most turbulent moments.
Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce
Savor the flavor with our mouthwatering grilled steak, paired perfectly with vibrant chimichurri sauce. Ingredients
For the chimichurri sauce: • 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lbs steak
(flank, sirloin, or skirt steak)
• 2 tbsp olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste
• Juice of 1 lemon • 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes • Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions 1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. 2. Rub the steak with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. 3. Grill the steak for 4–5 minutes per side or until it reaches desired doneness. 4. Meanwhile, make the chimichurri sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the parsley, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. 5. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing. 6. Serve the steak with the chimichurri sauce and enjoy!
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
6116 N. Central Expy. #1201 Dallas, TX 75206
214-682-7132 Prk-Law.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Our Commitment to Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Victims
Surprisingly Legal and Shockingly Illegal
2
The Origin of the Silliest Day of the Year
3
Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce
Equip Your Family With an Emergency Kit
4
The Lawsuit That Touched Hearts
Luke Combs Strikes a Chord FROM CONFLICT TO COMPASSION
containing funds from recent sales, was locked due to the lawsuit, leaving her in a dire financial situation. What sets this story apart is not the initial legal dispute; it’s the remarkable response from Combs himself. Upon learning of Harness’s situation, he recorded a heartfelt TikTok video where he apologized directly to Harness and extended his hand to help her during this challenging time. He gave her $11,000, twice the amount that had become inaccessible in her Amazon account due to the lawsuit. He emphasized that no fan should ever go through such an ordeal and expressed his sincere regret for the situation. Combs didn’t stop there; he decided to positively impact Harness’s life by selling similar tumblers on his own website. All proceeds from these sales were directed
Imagine waking up one December morning to the bizarre news that one of your favorite celebrities is suing you for a whopping $250,000. That’s what happened to Florida resident Nicol Harness, a devoted fan of country music sensation Luke Combs. The story began when Harness found herself in hot water for selling unofficial merchandise adorned with lyrics from Combs’ songs. She had sold 18 tumblers at $20 each and had no clue this would lead to a legal battle that would wreak havoc on her life. Harness, who had been dealing with congestive heart failure, received an email from Combs’ legal team during her hospital stay. Unfortunately, due to her medical condition, she missed the 21-day response window, which resulted in further complications. Her Amazon account,
Photo by David Bergman
toward Harness’s family to support her medical care, further showcasing Combs’ commitment to making amends and righting the situation. This incredible turn of events reminds us that even in the face of legal battles and adversity, acts of kindness and empathy can prevail. Combs, a country music superstar, proved in words and actions that he values his fans, turning a potential lawsuit into a story of compassion and unity in the country music community.
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